Liverpool clinched the UEFA Super Cup on penalties after a dramatic clash with Chelsea, and fans were delighted with another chapter in Istanbul written.
Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4 on pens)
UEFA Super Cup, Besiktas Park
August 14, 2019
Goals: Mane 48′, 95′; Giroud 36′, Jorginho pen 101′
The Reds travelled to Istanbul to face a familiar foe in Chelsea with a shot at silverware on the line, and it was a familiar tale in Turkey as the game went the distance.
Despite looking the business early in proceedings, Liverpool quickly found themselves chasing shadows as the Blues capitalised on the Reds’ disconnect across the pitch, hitting the lead through Olivier Giroud.
But the much-needed introduction of Roberto Firmino for the start of the second half reaped instant rewards as Sadio Mane levelled the scores, but with the deadlock remaining after 90 minutes, extra-time followed.
Liverpool’s No. 10 would again find the net only for a Jorginho penalty to ensure the game was decided on penalties, with Adrian emerging as the hero as the Reds secured their first trophy of the season.
Here’s how supporters reacted to the result on Facebook, Twitter and This Is Anfield’s forums.
The Reds failed to win the midfield battle in the first 45 and fans lamented the absence of a creative spark…
Horrific play in midfield leading to that goal. Kante has run rings around Liverpool in midfield. Massively miss Firmino's presence, who's critical when we have a workmanlike midfield.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) August 14, 2019
That was god awful. Please take Milner off. Need creativity in midfield.
— Jimmy (@EntireDesign_) August 14, 2019
“ It would be nice if the midfield showed up for the second half.”
– Red Armada on the forums.
That was a bad as I’ve seen Liverpool play in a long time.
Firmino has to come on and the midfield needs to improve massively. No tempo, too many gaps between the lines. Poor. #LIVCHE
— Jamie Holme (@JamieHolme) August 14, 2019
If we could come out for the second half with a midfield that would be lovely:
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) August 14, 2019
3 key components to our tactical build up
Trent
Bobby
MoWe’ve replaced two of them with players that play in a completely different way. Now we can’t play through the thirds.
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) August 14, 2019
But wishes were granted with immediate effect in the second, with Firmino’s contribution duly lauded…
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/1161731505128976389
Quite incredible just how much better Liverpool look now Firmino is on the pitch.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) August 14, 2019
“Fucking Bobby. He is OUTRAGEOUS.”
– Neukolln on the forums.
Mane and Salah different players with Firmino on the pitch. The way the 3 of them make runs for each other. Create spaces. Finding each other with clever passes. Great to watch
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) August 14, 2019
Firmino does not play in a system, Firmino is the system, what a player.
— Brasil Football ?? (@BrasilEdition) August 14, 2019
“I wish we had a couple of clones of Bobby. He truly is a unique player.”
– Maria on the forums.
Firmino's changed the game for Liverpool. What a player #LIVCHE
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) August 14, 2019
If ever you need an example of Firmino knitting it all together, here it is. Si, senor.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) August 14, 2019
Extra-time brought about a mix of emotions with Mane praised & the penalty decision heavily criticised…
Extra time in this game is ludicrous.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) August 14, 2019
“Fucks sake, extra time. Last thing we need.”
– T.C.B on the forums.
Bobby and Mané combination strikes again. Mané just can’t keep off the scoresheet in Europe ?
— Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) August 14, 2019
Sadio Mane loves European goals and he has another. Starts the move, Roberto Firmino is the provider again and that is an absolute fire finish to put #LFC 2-1 up.#SuperCup
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) August 14, 2019
Never a penalty, and here’s me thinking the point of VAR was to get it right?
If it can’t get something as obvious as that right then what’s the point? ????
— Andy Heaton (@Andrew_Heaton) August 14, 2019
"UEFA don't have this angle." pic.twitter.com/VKb3H8IWTf
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/1161748059598012416
Haha, genuinely not being biased, there's no chance in a million years it's a penalty. VAR is a farce.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) August 14, 2019
Istanbul, penalties and Adrian the hero; what was not to love…
That's some way to make your full Liverpool debut. What a hero @AdriSanMiguel!
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) August 14, 2019
Adrian the hero. Liverpool win the Super Cup 5-4 on penalties #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) August 14, 2019
Yo Adrian, we did it! pic.twitter.com/Se1MGTkdcm
— Gareth Roberts (@robbohuyton) August 14, 2019
I LOVE SHOOTOUTS. ESPECIALLY IN ISTANBUL.
— nate (@natefc) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheKopMagazine/status/1161756207255838722
Adrian can have the house for f**k all!! #LIVCHE #supercupfinal
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/Robish13/status/1161755817135280132
Liverpool and Istanbul. The love affair goes on.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) August 14, 2019
And while the performance wasn’t convincing, another piece of silverware was added to the honours wall…
Yesssssss. Nervy one but ends with a trophy for the Reds ????????
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) August 14, 2019
Liverpool 43 major honours. Most successful team in English football history. Didn't take long to get back on our perch, did it
— Jeff Goulding (@ShanklysBoys1) August 14, 2019
A pretty dreadful performance from the reds but great to win more silverware. The high line worries me!
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) August 14, 2019
As European champions, #LFC will be judged to a higher standard this season, and they didn't meet that in performance terms tonight. But getting over the line when you haven't been at your best is a useful skill for serial winners and they definitely did that.
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) August 14, 2019
But seriously our performance was shaky and it all came down to not having Bob on in the first and only one of Trent/Robbo at FB which meant our CMs rotating out and deep and then we looked like shit in the middle and please be able to start every match Bob & Trent & Robbo.
— The Liverpool Offside (@LFCOffside) August 14, 2019
Another trinket for the collection. Up the formulaic reds…
— Steven Scragg (@Scraggy_74) August 14, 2019
Bloody hell, that was a horrible game. Liverpool well below par and that defence continues to looks worryingly shaky. But they dug in, picked up no serious injuries and won another piece of silverware. That’ll do, I guess.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) August 14, 2019
We just can’t stop winning European trophies. No one can stop us.
— Jimmy (@EntireDesign_) August 14, 2019
ANOTHER PENALTY SHOOTOUT WIN IN ISTANBUL!!
SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS!!! pic.twitter.com/sZaxIfK9hY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 14, 2019
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